Exit poll shows separatists winning majority in Catalan assembly

Separatists have won a clear majority of seats in Catalonia's parliament, an exit poll showed on Sunday, in an election that could set the region on a collision course with Spain's central government over independence.

The main secessionist group "Junts pel Si" (Together for Yes) would get between 63 and 66 seats in the 135-strong assembly, while smaller leftist party CUP would secure another 11 to 13 seats, according to the poll released by local broadcaster TV3, the largest carried out.

They would jointly obtain 49.8% of the vote, amid a an expected record turnout, in what would be a big boost to a secession campaign which has been losing support over the last two years.

"Junts pel Si" and CUP had said before the vote that such a result would allow them to unilaterally declare independence within 18 months, under a plan that would see the new Catalan authorities approving their own constitution and building institutions like an army, central bank and judicial system.

The Spanish centre-right government of PM Mariano Rajoy, which has opposed attempts to hold a referendum on secession, has called the breakaway plan "a nonsense" and vowed to block it in court. Spain's constitution does not allow any region to break away.

Catalan secession remains highly hypothetical, but the strong pro-independence showing is a blow for Rajoy less than three months before a countrywide election.

It also creates additional uncertainty over potential talks over a more favourable tax regime and laws that better protect language and culture, which analysts say are needed to soothe Catalan discontent.

Many of the 5.5 million voters had said on Sunday that they did not believe Catalonia would become independent and had used their ballot as a way to press the Catalan and Spanish authorities to discuss those issues.

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Just letting readers know. This Vedic astrology writer had in June last in article – “ Total lunar eclipse of 28 September 2015 and world” - published in Summer 2015 ( June ) issue of The Astrologer’s Notebook , a quarterly publication from North Port, Florida , predicted :-
“ During second half of 2015 , among other things, associations or unions having common aims , could weaken at vulnerable situations and may even disintegrate. Though second half of 2015 seems to be causing concern , months October and November of 2015 are likely to trigger many unwelcome things out of above mentioned aspects or areas of life.” These predictions appear to be impliedly fitting into well in the case of victory in election for separatists on 27 September 2015 who are demanding separation from Spain.